Starting Monday, March 21, I will be visiting our families. When I was in Creston, I started this and it was a good way for me to get to know the people and for our people to get to know their pastor. Owing to the pandemic, this has not been possible for us but this is a good time to begin. My visit will be twofold: first, I would like to get to know our families and to start creating a web of relationship by which we are bound together in Jesus. Our faith is about relationship with God and with each other. This, too, is part of the Synodal journey: to get out of the office, to be with our people, to hear what is on your heart, to warm people’s hearts, to share our joys and sorrows, the fears and hope. Second, the pandemic has affected our families in various ways. My visit would help me to understand how we can journey together bearing in mind that the pandemic has brought loneliness, suffering, illness, and loss to many. I’d like to see how the parish can help in any way possible. We are family. So, please call the office at 250-492-3169 and let me know when you’d want me to come. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll call you 😊
Fundraiser at St. John Vianney for Ukraine On April 8, we will be having a fundraiser for the people of Ukraine. I have invited Fr. Pavlo and his family to come. Many in our community already know Fr. Pavlo – the Ukrainian priest who serves the Ukrainian community here in Penticton. He will share with us how the war in Ukraine has affected his Mum, his family and his people in the Ukraine. Please let’s come out to support him and his family. He will be coming with his wife, son and daughter. The evening will start at 5:45pm with soup and bun to raise some funds for them. Stations of the Cross will follow after that at 6.30pm. As per Provincial Health Order, vaccination status will no longer be required starting that day. Our Ukrainian community will be there. Invite a friend. Let’s come and pray together and show our love to Ukraine.
Rachel’s Vineyard: The retreat went well. Thank you for your prayers for our team, the candidates and for myself. We experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit and people were healed. What Pope Francis said about the Church being a field hospital rings true for me at the retreat: hearts are warmed, broken hearts are healed. People find a new beginning and a fresh start and the freedom to be themselves again. A new relationship with Jesus begins to thrive.
The journey of Lent continues. On this 3rd Sunday, Jesus meets us as He met the Samaritan woman. He promises us living water that will sustain us unto eternal life. This Sunday we come to Him to receive that living water to quench our thirst.
May our Lenten journey continue to be fruitful and meaningful.
Have a Blessed Sunday!
Your brother,
Fr. Obi